THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 7, 1996 TAG: 9607040068
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERESA ANNAS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 113 lines
ALL THE finest families and bigwigs in Hampton Roads have been shot by this man - William S. McIntosh, the region's most respected portrait photographer.
Coinciding with the publication of a new book, McIntosh is giving a free slide lecture on his work today at 3 p.m. at The Chrysler Museum of Art, 245 W. Olney Road, Norfolk.
This gig promises to be more than a stodgy event featuring flashing slides and dull talk. Instead, McIntosh claims he will offer up an entertaining, multimedia slide presentation with music, fancy dissolves and IMAX-scaled high-resolution imagery.
His subject: ``Portrait Photography as an Art Form.''
Following the lead of great portraitists like the Canadian Yousuf Karsh, McIntosh places his subjects in environments that comment on his sitters' passions - from their home library, as in the case of the great photo historian Beaumont Newhall, to televangelist Pat Robertson, portrayed on the set of ``The 700 Club.''
Among his subjects: cosmetics mogul Mary Kay, Virginia Opera's Peter Mark, Portsmouth painter Charles Sibley and the late Mario Amaya, who directed The Chrysler Museum of Art from 1976 to 1978.
Also like Karsh, McIntosh is about as far from gritty documentary realism as you can get. His arena is commercial, of course, so he necessarily emphasizes the most flattering angles and expressions. Technically, he is exceptionally skilled.
From McIntosh's portraits, one shouldn't expect to see very deeply into the personalities of his sitters. However, you can expect to gain insights on how his subjects might like to see themselves immortal-ized.
McIntosh is the first one to humbly point out how his work differs from portraitists like Annie Liebovitz and Karsh. Those folks are hired by outside contractors, such as magazines. This gives them a greater freedom of expression.
In McIntosh's case, ``the people I photograph are the people who hired me. As a result, I have to stick to the tried-and-true,'' he said. ``It has to be a positive, flattering statement.''
At the Chrysler today, a book-signing will take place starting at 2 p.m. Copies of his book, ``Location Portraiture: The Story Behind the Art,'' published this year by Silver Pixel Press, will be on sale for $60.
The book includes about 100 color plates, along with a generous amount of technical information and advice for aspiring portrait photographers.
The museum's theater lobby also will showcase a dozen of his recent portraits, including portrayals of Virginia Symphony musicians and local newspaper columnists, for the afternoon.
On July 18 from 12:30 to 2 p.m., McIntosh will sign his books at Prince Books, 109 E. Main St., Norfolk. Call 622-9223 for more information.
Portsmouth roundup
Five Portsmouth galleries and museums have art exhibits on view today during ``First Sunday in Portsmouth'' - the monthly event that encourages art lovers to spend the afternoon wandering from one venue to another in that city.
All of the galleries are within a few blocks of one another, and in the downtown district. All are free, except for The Arts Center of the Portsmouth Museums, which charges $1 admission.
Look for a wrought-iron bed in the entrance atrium at The Potrafka Gallery, where a reception will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. The bed hints at the massive collection of handmade furniture on display inside the enormous bank building-turned-art gallery.
The one-of-a-kind or limited production tables, lamps and beds were made by Patrick McNamee of Richmond. He is sharing the limelight at Potrafka this month with Richmond glass artist Brad Pearson, who specializes in large sculptural forms and paperweights.
The shows continue through July 30 at 600 Washington St. Potrafka's hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. The gallery also offers art classes. Call 399-4774.
Nearby, at 629 High St., Art Atrium has organized ``Black Folk Art,'' a solo show of work by a Norfolk artist who goes by the name Dollner. A self-taught artist, the Portsmouth native has painted scenes from her past as the child of immigrant sharecroppers living in a two-room shack, said Robert Floyd, gallery manager.
Typically closed on Sundays, Art Atrium will be open today from 2 to 5 p.m. Dollner's show continues through July 30. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 393-1215.
Three blocks away, an artist's reception is set for 2 to 5 p.m. at Olde Towne Gallery, 341 High St. The work of Suffolk pastel artist Debbie Hobbs will be featured here. A realist, wildlife and sports are among her themes. 397-2787.
High and Court streets is an art-heavy intersection: Olde Towne is across the street from The Arts Center of the Portsmouth Museums, as well as Tidewater Community College's Visual Arts Center, where work by Dan Smith and former TCC art student Sean Stewart is on view.
Smith, who teaches art at TCC and at Hampton's Thomas Nelson Community College, exhibited extensively in South Carolina prior to his recent move to Newport News. At TCC, he shows portraits and an installation. The shows continue through Friday; gallery hours are 1 to 5 p.m. today, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. 396-6999.
The Arts Center is showcasing work by 10 Latin American painters and sculptors from the Pacific Northwest region. Titled ``Reencuentros/Reencounters,'' the show was put together and toured as an artistic reflection on the quincentennial of Columbus' ``encounter'' with the New World. It continues through Aug. 18.
Meanwhile, the show of contemplative sculpture by Rebecca Kamen, including her evocative collaborations with Peggy Feerick and Julie Schneider, has been extended to July 28.
The center is open from 1 to 5 p.m. today, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 393-8543. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
The cover of photographer William S. McIntosh's book sports a
portrait of Gen. Colin Powell.
THE POTRAFKA GALLERY
During ``First Sunday in Portsmouth,'' look for Patrick McNamee's
wrought-iron furniture at The Potrafka Gallery.
TCC ``Brad,'' by Dan Smith, is on view at Tidewater Community
College's Visual Arts Center. by CNB